For the review equipment, see my signature...
I have been able to secure a unit for trial, and I can write about this unit here.
No price questions and region issues will be addressed later.
Web links:
HDI - the parent company
http://hdi.co.il/fullhd_players/72-dune-bd-prime.html
Some other threads:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=934050
Review:
http://www.mpcclub.com/modules/Reviews/rev...di_bd_prime.pdf
Specs:
There are 4 configurations:
- Dune BD Prime
- Dune BD Prime + Wi-Fi 802.11n
- Dune BD Prime + Ethernet 1000 Mb/s
- Dune BD Prime + 2 x eSATA
- Sigma Designs 8634 SoC
- 384 MB of RAM, 64 MB flash and 1GB of NAND flash memory for fastest Java support on the latest and future Blu-Ray disks (Profile 2.0).
- HDMI 1.3 for ultimate HD video and HD audio performance.
- Optical and coaxial digital and 7.1 analogue audio output.
- Composite, component, S-Video video output.
- Three USB 2.0 ports for connecting external AV sources.
- Ethernet 100 Mb/s and Wi-Fi up to 300 Mb/s (optional).
- With legs: 430mm (width) x 270mm (depth) x 50mm (height)
- Without legs: 430mm (width) x 270mm (depth) x 42mm (height)
Media files playback support:
- Sources:
- Internal DVD drive.
- USB mass storage devices (USB HDD, USB flash memory).
- USB DVD drives.
- NFS network folders.
- SMB network folders.
- HTTP URLs (limited support).
- Containers:
- MPEG (MPEG-TS, MPEG-PS, VOB, M2TS) (typical file extensions: .MPG, .TS, .M2TS, .TP, .VOB).
- AVI (typical file extensions: .AVI).
- MOV, MP4 (typical file extensions: .MOV, .MP4, .QT).
- MKV (typical file extensions: .MKV).
- ASF (typical file extensions: .ASF, .WMV).
- DVD-ISO, VIDEO_TS (DVD-Video playback, including DVD menu support).
- Raw video.
- Raw audio (typical file extensions: .WAV, .MP3).
- Video codecs:
- MPEG2.
- MPEG4.
- DivX.
- XVID.
- WMV9.
- VC1.
- H.264.
- Audio codecs:
- AC3 (DD).
- EAC3 (DD+).
- DTS.
- MPEG (layers 1/2/3).
- AAC.
- LPCM.
- WMA.
- WMAPro.
- Embedded subtitle formats:
- In MKV: plain text, SSA/ASS.
- In MP4: VOB.
- External subtitle formats:
- SRT.
- External audio streams:
- AC3.
- DTS.
- Protocols:
- Multicast UDP (raw).
- Multicast RTP.
- Format:
- MPEG-TS container.
- MPEG2 video codec (SD and HD resolutions).
The major makers like Sony and Panasonic all have their BR players out in full force, and the dark horse Oppo is a cult favourite before the release of their player to the public. Why do we need another?
The Build quality is similar to an Oppo, which is basic but functional, the remote seems to stem from a similar factory too.
The unit is rather light, but well screwed together. There are USB ports as well as a single HDMI 1.3a output. Analogue 7.1 outputs are also present. None are gold-plated. The player itself is made in Israel.
The remote has luminous keys but is not backlit. Its more Fisher-price than rock solid. For an example of a well made remote, try the Toshiba XE1 or Pioneer KRP 500a remote. They seem hewn from a single metal block.
Startup is rather slow, and is similar to a Panasonic BD 30 or the like, definitely not a PS 3 in speed. The user interface is simple, and easy to follow, even without a manual.
Some short notes first:
- It can decode internally Hi Def formats and send the bitstream signal as well
- USB allows upgrades
- You can specify the output resolution and in particular, it does 24 fps and more importantly 23.976 fps.
- You can spec this model with wireless wi fi or use the provided Ethernet port
- Interface is simple and easy to pick up
- 100- 240v universal voltage
- Profile 2.0
- This particular player is Region B
Inside, the player is based upon the SMP8634 chip from Sigma, 384 MB RAM memory, 64MB flash chip and a 1GB NAND Flash in order to support JAVA fast in Blu-ray profile 2.0.
Playback:
I have only tried BR so far and compared to my PS 3 the colors are more subdued, but accurate and similar in quality.
Sound:
For HT, the quality of the disc, your HT setup will make a bigger difference than this vs say a PS 3. But bitstream seems better than internal decoding.
Will write more later...
